Should i take potassium supplements

This article will discuss the role of potassium within the body and suggest some reasons that a person may need to take a potassium supplement. It will also provide information on dosages and possible side effects and list three of the best potassium supplements available.

Dietary potassium refers to potassium that comes from foods. Many different plant and animal foods contain potassium. Some examples include:. Potassium plays a major role in maintaining the water content of cells. It is also essential for:. Most of the potassium in the body is stored inside cells.

Normal concentrations of potassium in the blood range from around 3. Blood potassium levels can give some indication of potassium status, but they cannot indicate what the stores are like inside the cells. In otherwise healthy people with normal kidney function, abnormally low or high levels of potassium in the blood are rare. However, certain factors can decrease potassium levels. Keto diets are high fat, low carbohydrate, moderate protein diets.

Some people follow a keto diet to assist with weight loss. Doctors may also recommend these diets for people with the following conditions:.

The keto diet increases the acidic environment of the body. This can trigger a condition called metabolic acidosis MA , in which the blood becomes too acidic. This can lead to kidney problems and a loss of bone mineral density. One study suggests that oral potassium citrate supplementation may prevent the risk of MA in children following a keto diet.

The researchers suggest that potassium citrate acts as an alkalizing agent to counteract the potential for MA. Further studies are necessary to determine whether or not everyone following a keto diet should take a potassium citrate supplement.

It is also important to note that experiencing MA due to following a keto diet is extremely rare in people without a preexisting health condition. Most dietary supplements contain potassium salts. A potassium salt is a combination of potassium and one or more other elements. Dietary potassium supplements typically contain potassium chloride. However, some contain other potassium salts, such as:. Since these different salts contain different amounts of potassium, the supplement label may show the amount of pure, or elemental, potassium in the product.

Multivitamin and mineral supplements that contain potassium typically contain about 80 milligrams mg of elemental potassium. Potassium-only supplements contain up to 99 mg of elemental potassium. Different supplements will contain different amounts of potassium, so people should read the individual product labels to determine the appropriate dosages.

Potassium supplements can sometimes cause minor digestive side effects. This usually occurs when the body loses too much potassium, such as with chronic diarrhea or vomiting.

Here are the symptoms depending on how low your potassium levels are Below are some foods that are excellent sources of potassium and how much they contain in a 3. A variety of whole foods are excellent sources of potassium, including tomato products, beets, greens, yams, potatoes, and spinach. A diet rich in potassium is associated with some impressive health benefits.

It may prevent or alleviate a variety of health problems, including:. A diet rich in potassium may help alleviate high blood pressure and mitigate salt sensitivity.

It may also help reduce the risk of stroke as well as help prevent osteoporosis and kidney stones. Your daily potassium needs can depend on various factors, including your health status and activity level. Research also indicates that daily potassium intake may vary among different ethnic groups.

Other countries, including the United States, recommend consuming at least 4, mg per day 7. Interestingly, it seems that when people consume more than 4, mg per day, there appears to be little or no extra health benefits 7 , 22 , However, there are several groups of people who may benefit more than others from meeting the higher recommendation. These people include:. Taking too much of this mineral can cause excess amounts to build up in the blood, which is known as hyperkalemia. In some cases, this may cause an irregular heartbeat, called cardiac arrhythmia, which can be fatal 32 , Furthermore, studies have found that potassium supplements that provide high doses may damage the lining of the gut 34 , However, people who are deficient or at risk for deficiency may require a high-dose potassium supplement.

In these cases, your healthcare provider may prescribe a higher-dose supplement and monitor you for any reactions. However, some people may be prescribed a higher-dose supplement. An excessive level of potassium in the blood is known as hyperkalemia.

The condition is characterized by a blood level higher than 5. This is the most a healthy adult can consume in a day without negative effects 6. Hyperkalemia generally affects people with poor kidney function or people who take medications that may affect kidney function. This is because the kidneys remove excess potassium. Therefore, poor kidney function may result in a buildup of this mineral in the blood 36 , In most cases, a healthy diet provides enough potassium, especially if the diet is low in sodium.

Sometimes, a doctor may recommend supplements. There is some evidence that these may help :. However, confirming that potassium supplements can help treat or prevent these health issues will require more research.

Ask a doctor before using potassium supplements. This is especially important for people who have kidney disease or are also taking other medications.

For an otherwise healthy person, a deficiency involves having potassium levels lower than 3. This cutoff point is lower for people with kidney disease. If potassium levels fall below 2. It can lead to:. Learn more about potassium deficiencies here.

However, excess potassium, or hyperkalemia, can be harmful for people with kidney problems if their kidneys are unable to remove enough potassium. This can be dangerous if the levels rise quickly. Doctors consider potassium levels to be high when they reach 5. In this case, professional monitoring is key, and any level higher than 6.

People with hyperkalemia may have no or very few symptoms. If symptoms appear, they are similar to those of hypokalemia. Anyone taking medication should not increase their potassium intake before discussing it with a doctor, as some drugs can interact with potassium. For example, drugs called angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors and angiotensin receptor blockers can stop the body from removing potassium.

Examples include benazepril Lotensin and losartan Cozaar. A person who takes either type of drug and has kidney disease, type 2 diabetes, or heart disease may develop potassium levels that are too high.

Potassium-sparing diuretics prevent the body from excreting potassium in the urine. If a person takes one of these drugs, a doctor will monitor their potassium levels. Examples include amiloride Midamor and spironolactone Aldactone.

Loop and thiazide diuretics cause the body to lose potassium by increasing urine output. This can lead to low potassium levels. Examples include furosemide Lasix and bumetanide Bumex. A person taking any of these drugs may need to avoid high-potassium foods.

Learn more here. Potassium is an essential mineral. Dried fruits, beans, and other plant-based foods can be good sources of it.